The Kentucky Lake Local Section of the ACS

Kentucky Lake ACS Family Night at the Ballpark

Take me out to the ball game,Take me out with the crowd;Just buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,I don't care if I never get back.Let me root, root, root for the home team,If they don't win, it's a shame.For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,At the old ball game.

ACS Fellow Recognized

Congratulate past chair Bommanna Loganathan on being selected the first ACS Fellow from the Kentucky Lake Local Section.

Loganathan, Bommanna G.

Murray State University

Contribution to the science/profession: Contributed significantly to the understanding of the contamination trends of persistent organic chemicals in the global environment and biota.

Contribution to the ACS community: Served as Chair and Chemists Celebrate Earth Day Coordinator for the Kentucky Lake Local Section. Organized and presided over Division of Environmental Chemistry symposia. Nominated the Kelly Pneumatic Iron Process as Kentucky’s first National Historic Chemical Landmark.

Appreciation to Dr. S.K. Airee for preparing his nomination.

Message from our Chair

GREETINGS. This month’s meeting is hosted by the Women Chemists Committee with a presentation from our own Dr. Robbie Montgomery. Join us as we honor the women who have influenced our careers during the dinner hour. ~David Wing, Chair

NEWS

William Kelly Pneumatic Iron and Steel Process- Revisited

BOMMANNA G. LOGANATHAN

Professor of Chemistry, Murray State University, Murray, KY 42071.

William Kelly’s invention that led to mass commercial production of low cost malleable iron and steel from the iron ore had a great impact on human civilization. Better bridges, expansion of railroads, military defense armaments, kitchen utensils, buildings and skyscrapers, agricultural, automobile and industrial machineries were all advances that emerged after this steel making method was discovered. Above all, jobs were created for millions all over the world. All these provided man-kind with comfort and a sophisticated life. During 1847-1851 William Kelly from Eddyville, Kentucky was first to invent a pneumatic process to make malleable iron products such as wrought iron and steel, by blowing air through molten impure “pig iron” or re-melted cast iron, in a separate fixed vertical position “converter” apparatus, without added heat. This process, erroneously known as the “Bessemer process,” had five features that enabled mass production of low cost, strong, long wearing steel from all types of iron ores. This presentation revisits the development of commercial pneumatic steel making process, with details on who first to discover/invent one of these five features.

It is with sadness that we share news of the unfortunate passing of long time KLS member Larry Bigham this past weekend. He was a dedicated member who rarely missed a meeting, and I know his contributions to the section will be missed. The obituary and funeral arrangements can be seen at http://m.milnerandorr.com/obituaries/details?id=448486.

William Kelly’s invention that led to mass commercial production of low cost malleable iron and steel from the iron ore had a great impact on human civilization. Better bridges, expansion of railroads, military defense armaments, kitchen utensils, buildings and skyscrapers, agricultural, automobile and industrial machineries were all advances that emerged after this steel making method was discovered. Above all, jobs were created for millions all over the world. All these provided man-kind with comfort and a sophisticated life. During 1847-1851 William Kelly from Eddyville, Kentucky was first to invent a pneumatic process to make malleable iron products such as wrought iron and steel, by blowing air through molten impure “pig iron” or re-melted cast iron, in a separate fixed vertical position “converter” apparatus, without added heat. This process, erroneously known as the “Bessemer process,” had five features that enabled mass production of low cost, strong, long wearing steel from all types of iron ores. This presentation revisits the development of commercial pneumatic steel making process, with details on who first to discover/invent one of these five features.

Special Events Coming Soon

Who can sign in?

ACS Members who belong to the section may sign into this site using their ACS ID. If you are an ACS member, but don't have an ACS ID, you may go to http://www.acs.org/ to create it. You may also go to login help if you have questions about your ACS ID.